Control device for allocating resources to communication devices that use differing protocols and methods for use therewith

ABSTRACT

A control device includes at least one communication interface for communicating first control data with a first plurality of communication devices that utilize the millimeter wave frequency band in accordance with a first protocol and further for communicating second control data with a second plurality of communication devices that utilize the millimeter wave frequency band in accordance with a second protocol. A resource controller allocates resources of the millimeter wave frequency band to the first plurality of communication devices and the second plurality of communication devices based on the first control data and the second control data.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

The present application is related to the following U.S. patentapplication:

MULTIMODE CONTROL DEVICE FOR ALLOCATING RESOURCES TO COMMUNICATIONDEVICES THAT USE DIFFERING PROTOCOLS AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITHhaving Ser. No. 12/436,882, filed on on May 7, 2009;

the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to wireless communication and moreparticularly to transceivers used to support wireless communications inunlicensed spectra.

2. Description of Related Art

Communication systems are known to support wireless and wirelinecommunications between wireless and/or wireline communication devices.Such communication systems range from national and/or internationalcellular telephone systems to the Internet to point-to-point in-homewireless networks to radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. Eachtype of communication system is constructed, and hence operates, inaccordance with one or more communication standards. For instance,wireless communication systems may operate in accordance with one ormore standards including, but not limited to, RFID, IEEE 802.11,Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS, globalsystem for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access(CDMA), local multi-point distribution systems (LMDS),multi-channel-multi-point distribution systems (MMDS), and/or variationsthereof.

Depending on the type of wireless communication system, a wirelesscommunication device, such as a cellular telephone, two-way radio,personal digital assistant (PDA), personal computer (PC), laptopcomputer, home entertainment equipment, RFID reader, RFID tag, et ceteracommunicates directly or indirectly with other wireless communicationdevices. For direct communications (also known as point-to-pointcommunications), the participating wireless communication devices tunetheir receivers and transmitters to the same channel or channels (e.g.,one of the plurality of radio frequency (RF) carriers of the wirelesscommunication system) and communicate over that channel(s). For indirectwireless communications, each wireless communication device communicatesdirectly with an associated base station (e.g., for cellular services)and/or an associated access point (e.g., for an in-home or in-buildingwireless network) via an assigned channel. To complete a communicationconnection between the wireless communication devices, the associatedbase stations and/or associated access points communicate with eachother directly, via a system controller, via the public switch telephonenetwork, via the Internet, and/or via some other wide area network.

For each wireless communication device to participate in wirelesscommunications, it includes a built-in radio transceiver (i.e., receiverand transmitter) or is coupled to an associated radio transceiver (e.g.,a station for in-home and/or in-building wireless communicationnetworks, RF modem, etc.). As is known, the receiver is coupled to theantenna and includes a low noise amplifier, one or more intermediatefrequency stages, a filtering stage, and a data recovery stage. The lownoise amplifier receives inbound RF signals via the antenna andamplifies then. The one or more intermediate frequency stages mix theamplified RF signals with one or more local oscillations to convert theamplified RF signal into baseband signals or intermediate frequency (IF)signals. The filtering stage filters the baseband signals or the IFsignals to attenuate unwanted out of band signals to produce filteredsignals. The data recovery stage recovers raw data from the filteredsignals in accordance with the particular wireless communicationstandard.

As is also known, the transmitter includes a data modulation stage, oneor more intermediate frequency stages, and a power amplifier. The datamodulation stage converts raw data into baseband signals in accordancewith a particular wireless communication standard. The one or moreintermediate frequency stages mix the baseband signals with one or morelocal oscillations to produce RF signals. The power amplifier amplifiesthe RF signals prior to transmission via an antenna.

Currently, wireless communications occur within licensed or unlicensedfrequency spectrums. For example, wireless local area network (WLAN)communications occur within the unlicensed Industrial, Scientific, andMedical (ISM) frequency spectrum of 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5 GHz. Whilethe ISM frequency spectrum is unlicensed there are restrictions onpower, modulation techniques, and antenna gain. Another unlicensedfrequency spectrum is the V-band of 55-64 GHz.

Different radio networks sometimes share the same spectrum. For example,Bluetooth transceivers and 802.11g transceivers may both be present in asingle area using the 2.4 GHz band. In the V-band, devices usingWireless HD (WiHD) and devices using the Next Generation MicrowaveSystem (NGMS) may be present in a single area. Transmissions by onedevice can cause interference with other devices that use the samefrequency band with the same area.

Other disadvantages of conventional approaches will be evident to oneskilled in the art when presented the disclosure that follows.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operationthat are further described in the following Brief Description of theDrawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims.Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention madewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a wirelesscommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a wirelesscommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a control device50 that allocates resources in a millimeter wave environment 52 inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a control device50 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a control device50′ in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a control device50″ in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of timing diagram 90 in accordancean embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a graphical representation of millimeter wave spectrum 92 inaccordance an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 100 inaccordance an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 100′ inaccordance an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a further schematic block diagram of an RF transceiver 123 inaccordance an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a further schematic block diagram of an RF transceiver 123′in accordance an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 16 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention. In particular acommunication system is shown that includes a communication device 10that communicates real-time data 24 and/or non-real-time data 26wirelessly with one or more other devices such as base station 18,non-real-time device 20, real-time device 22, and non-real-time and/orreal-time device 25. In addition, communication device 10 can alsooptionally communicate over a wireline connection with non-real-timedevice 12, real-time device 14, non-real-time and/or real-time device16.

In an embodiment of the present invention the wireline connection 28 canbe a wired connection that operates in accordance with one or morestandard protocols, such as a universal serial bus (USB), Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 488, IEEE 1394 (Firewire),Ethernet, small computer system interface (SCSI), serial or paralleladvanced technology attachment (SATA or PATA), or other wiredcommunication protocol, either standard or proprietary. The wirelessconnection can communicate in accordance with a wireless networkprotocol such as WiHD, NGMS, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband(UWB), WIMAX, or other wireless network protocol, a wireless telephonydata/voice protocol such as Global System for Mobile Communications(GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates forGlobal Evolution (EDGE), Personal Communication Services (PCS), or othermobile wireless protocol or other wireless communication protocol,either standard or proprietary. Further, the wireless communication pathcan include separate transmit and receive paths that use separatecarrier frequencies and/or separate frequency channels. Alternatively, asingle frequency or frequency channel can be used to bi-directionallycommunicate data to and from the communication device 10.

Communication device 10 can be a mobile phone such as a cellulartelephone, a personal digital assistant, game console, personalcomputer, laptop computer, or other device that performs one or morefunctions that include communication of voice and/or data via wirelineconnection 28 and/or the wireless communication path. In an embodimentof the present invention, the real-time and non-real-time devices 12, 1416, 18, 20, 22 and 25 can be personal computers, laptops, PDAs, mobilephones, such as cellular telephones, devices equipped with wirelesslocal area network or Bluetooth transceivers, FM tuners, TV tuners,digital cameras, digital camcorders, or other devices that eitherproduce, process or use audio, video signals or other data orcommunications.

In operation, the communication device includes one or more applicationsthat include voice communications such as standard telephonyapplications, voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications, localgaming, Internet gaming, email, instant messaging, multimedia messaging,web browsing, audio/video recording, audio/video playback, audio/videodownloading, playing of streaming audio/video, office applications suchas databases, spreadsheets, word processing, presentation creation andprocessing and other voice and data applications. In conjunction withthese applications, the real-time data 26 includes voice, audio, videoand multimedia applications including Internet gaming, etc. Thenon-real-time data 24 includes text messaging, email, web browsing, fileuploading and downloading, etc.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 10includes a wireless transceiver that includes one or more features orfunctions of the present invention. Such wireless transceivers shall bedescribed in greater detail in association with FIGS. 3-16 that follow.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, FIG. 2 presents a communication system that includes manycommon elements of FIG. 1 that are referred to by common referencenumerals. Communication device 30 is similar to communication device 10and is capable of any of the applications, functions and featuresattributed to communication device 10, as discussed in conjunction withFIG. 1. However, communication device 30 includes two separate wirelesstransceivers for communicating, contemporaneously, via two or morewireless communication protocols with data device 32 and/or data basestation 34 via RF data 40 and voice base station 36 and/or voice device38 via RF voice signals 42.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a control device50 that allocates resources in a millimeter wave environment 52 inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, the millimeterwave environment 52 can include the V-band of 55-64 GHz or othermillimeter wave frequency band or unlicensed spectrum that is shared bytwo groups of communication devices operating via different protocols.For example, communication devices 60, 62, 64, . . . are examples ofcommunication devices 10 or 30 that communicate with one another inaccordance with a WiHD protocol. Further, communication devices 70, 72,and 74 are further examples of communication devices 10 or 30 thatcommunicate with one another in accordance with a NGMS protocol. Withoutfurther coordination, transmissions by devices in the group 60, 62, 64,. . . can cause interference with devices in the group 70, 72, 74, . . .and vice versa. Control device 50 harmonizes the usage of the millimeterwave environment 52 by allocating resources to the communication devices60, 62, 64, 70, 72, and 74. In particular, control device 50 operates tocontrol access to the millimeter wave environment 52 to reduceinterference between communication devices in these two groups.

Further details regarding the operation of control device 50 andcommunication devices 60, 62, 64, 70, 72, and 74, including severaloptional functions and features, will be presented in conjunction withFIGS. 4-16 that follow.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a control device50 in accordance with the present invention. In particular, controldevice 50 includes a resource controller 80 for allocating resources ofthe millimeter wave environment, such as millimeter wave environment 52,to the communication devices 60, 62, 64, 70, 72 and 74. Control device50 further includes communication interface 82, coupled to the resourcecontroller 80 via bus 88, for communicating with communication devices60, 62, 64, 70, 72 and 74. Communication interface 82 can operate inaccordance with a wireline connection that operates in accordance withone or more standard protocols, such as a universal serial bus (USB),Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 488, IEEE 1394(Firewire), Ethernet, small computer system interface (SCSI), serial orparallel advanced technology attachment (SATA or PATA), or other wiredcommunication protocol, either standard or proprietary. In thealternative, communication interface 82 can communicate in accordancewith a wireless network protocol such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth,Ultra-Wideband (UWB), WIMAX, or other wireless network protocol, awireless telephony data/voice protocol such as Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced DataRates for Global Evolution (EDGE), Personal Communication Services(PCS), or other mobile wireless protocol or other wireless communicationprotocol, either standard or proprietary. In either case, control device50 can communicate bidirectionally with the communication devices 60,62, 64, 70, 72 and 74, either directly or via one or more communicationnetworks.

In operation, communication interface 82 receives usage data from thecommunication devices 60, 62 and 64 regarding their communications withone another. The usage data can include quality of service requirements,throughput requirements, data rates, and device pairing data.Communication interface 82 also receives usage data from thecommunication devices 70, 72 and 74 regarding their communications withone another. The usage data from both groups of communication devices issent to resource controller 80 and used to generate first control datathat is sent back to communication devices 60, 62, 64 and second controldata that is sent back to communication devices 70, 72, and 74 thatallocates the resources of the millimeter wave environment between thesetwo groups of communication devices.

In particular, resource controller 80 can allocate the resources of themillimeter wave environment 52 by allocating a first subset of theresources of the millimeter wave environment 52 to the communicationdevices 60, 62 and 64 and allocating a second subset of the resources ofthe millimeter wave environment 52 to the communication devices 70, 72,74, such that the first subset of the resources of the millimeter waveenvironment 52 is mutually exclusive of the second subset of theresources of the millimeter wave environment 52. For instance, resourcecontroller can divide the total frequency spectrum of the millimeterwave environment 52 into a first sub-spectrum used by communicationdevices 60, 62 and 64 and a second sub-spectrum used by communicationdevices 70, 72 and 74, based on the usage data provided by each group ofcommunication devices. In another example, time slots can be allocatedbetween communication devices 60, 62 and 64 and communication devices70, 72 and 74 to share the millimeter wave environment 52. Similarly,other multiple access resources such as space division channels, codedivision channels, token allocations or other resources can be allocatedbetween the two groups of communication devices. Control data reflectingthis allocation of resources can be generated and sent to thecommunications devices in each group. In this fashion, interferencebetween groups of devices can be reduced or eliminated altogether.

Resource controller 80 can be implemented using a shared processingdevice, individual processing devices, or a plurality of processingdevices and may further include memory. Such a processing device may bea microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. The memorymay be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such amemory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flashmemory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note thatwhen the resource controller 80 implements one or more of its functionsvia a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory storing the corresponding operational instructionsis embedded with the circuitry comprising the state machine, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the resource controller 80operates via a look-up table or algorithm that generates the controldata based on the usage data received from the communication devices 60,62, 64, 70, 72, and 74. As discussed in the example above, the resourcesof the millimeter wave environment 52 can be divided into mutuallyexclusive subsets and allocated between the groups of communicationdevices in proportion to the usage requirements of each group. Forinstance, in an example where communication device 60 is engaged inreal-time communication such as streaming video, with communicationdevices 62 and 64 and communication devices 70, 72 and 74 are engaged innon-real-time communication such as text messaging, resource controller80 can generate control data for each group of communication devices toallocate greater resources to the communications devices 60, 62 and 64,based on their greater need.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, one or both groups ofcommunication devices (60, 62, 64) or (70, 72, 74) require the resourcecontroller 80 to download a software shim, patch or other executablecode to allow the resources of the millimeter wave environment 52 to beallocated under the control of resource controller 80. In either ofthese cases, the resource controller 80 can download device software,via the control data, for execution one or more communication devices ineither group (60, 62, 64) or (70, 72, 74). Resource controller 80 canstore a separate software shim, patch or other executable code, based onthe particular protocols that share the millimeter wave environment 52.For example, resource controller 80 can store a separate software shim,patch or other executable code, for use by communication devices thatoperate via WiHD and NGMS to be downloaded and executed by correspondingdevices to implement the allocation of resources as discussed herein.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a control device50′ in accordance with the present invention. In particular, controldevice 50′ includes each of the functions and features described inconjunction with control device 50. However, control device 50′ includestwo different communication interfaces 82 and 84 for communicating withcommunication devices 60, 62, 64, 70, 72, 74. For example, controldevice 50′ can communicate with some of the communication devices 60,62, 64, 70, 72, 74 via communication interface 82 and others of thecommunication devices 60, 62, 64, 70, 72 via communication interface 84.Communication interfaces 82 and 84 can both be wireless interfaces, bothbe wired interfaces or include one wired interface and one wirelessinterface. In addition, while two communications interfaces 82 and 84are specifically shown, a greater number of communication interfaces canlikewise be employed.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a control device50″ in accordance with the present invention. In particular, controldevice 50″ includes each of the functions and features described inconjunction with control device 50. In contrast to control device 50that communicates with communication devices 60, 62, 64, 70, 72, 74 outof band of the millimeter wave environment 52, control device 50″ is adual mode device that itself communicates in the millimeter waveenvironment 52. In particular, control device 50″ includes a firstcommunication interface 86 to communicate with communication devices 60,62, 64 via a first protocol such as WiHD and a second communicationinterface 88 to communicate with communication devices 70, 72, 74 via asecond protocol, such as NGMS. In this fashion, a dual mode device thatoperates via two protocols in the millimeter wave environment 52 caninclude control device 50″ and be used to allocate resources of themillimeter wave environment 52 between two groups of single mode devicesthat each operate in conjunction with only one of the two protocols.

It should be noted that while the foregoing description of controldevices 50, 50′ and 50″ has focused on the control of two groups ofdevices within a millimeter wave environment 52, the principles of thepresent invention can likewise apply to the allocation of resources bycontrol devices 50, 50′ and 50″ to three or more groups of devicesoperating in an unlicensed spectrum such as millimeter wave environment52.

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of timing diagram 90 in accordancean embodiment of the present invention. In particular, timing diagram 90includes time slots A, B, C, . . . N. As discussed in conjunction withFIG. 4-6, control device 50, 50′ or 50″ can operate to allocatedifferent time slots to different groups of communications devicesoperating via different protocols in the same spectrum. In particular,control data generated by control device 50, 50′ or 50″ can establish acommon time base containing the time slots A, B, C, . . . N and canallocate subsets of the time slots between the groups of communicationdevices to avoid interference.

FIG. 8 is a graphical representation of millimeter wave spectrum 92 inaccordance an embodiment of the present invention. In particular,millimeter wave spectrum 92 includes sub spectra A, B, etc. As discussedin conjunction with FIG. 4-6, control device 50, 50′ or 50″ can operateto allocate different sub spectra within the millimeter wave spectrum 92to different groups of communications devices operating via differentprotocols. In particular, control data generated by control device 50,50′ or 50″ can establish the range of each sub spectra A, B, etc. canallocate one or more sub spectra between the groups of communicationdevices to avoid interference.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 100 inaccordance an embodiment of the present invention. Communication device100 can be used to implement any of the communication devices (60, 62,64) or (70, 72, 74). In particular, communication device 100 is a singlemode device that includes a wireless transceiver 102, that operates in acomplementary fashion to communication interface 86 or 88 to communicatewith control device 50″ and also with other communication devices in itsgroup within the millimeter wave environment 52. In this embodiment, thecontrol data received from control device 50″ and the usage datatransmitted to the control device 50″ are sent via the same physicalmillimeter wave environment 52 used by the communication device 100 tocommunicate with other communication devices in its group.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 100′ inaccordance an embodiment of the present invention. Communication device100′ can be also be used to implement any of the communication devices(60, 62, 64) or (70, 72, 74). In particular, communication device 100′is a single mode device that includes a wireless or wired transceiver106, that operates in a complementary fashion to communicationinterfaces 82 or 84 to communicate with control device 50 or 50′.Wireless transceiver 104 communicates with other communication devicesin its group within the millimeter wave environment 52. In thisembodiment, the control data 198 received from control device 50 or 50′and the usage data 199 transmitted to the control device 50 or 50′ aresent via the transceiver 106 outside of the millimeter wave environment52 used by the communication device 100′ to communicate with othercommunication devices in its group.

FIG. 11 is a further schematic block diagram of an RF transceiver 123 inaccordance an embodiment of the present invention. The RF transceiver123, such as transceiver 102, includes an RF transmitter 129, and an RFreceiver 127. The RF receiver 127 includes a RF front end 140, a downconversion module 142 and a receiver baseband processing module 144 thatoperate under the control of control signals 141. The RF transmitter 129includes a transmitter baseband processing module 146, an up conversionmodule 148, and a radio transmitter front-end 150 that also operateunder control of control signals 141.

As shown, the receiver and transmitter are each coupled to an antennathrough an antenna interface 171 and a diplexer (duplexer) 177, such asantenna interface 72 or 74, that couples the transmit signal 155 to theantenna to produce outbound RF signal 170 and couples inbound signal 152to produce received signal 153. Alternatively, a transmit/receive switchcan be used in place of diplexer 177. While a single antenna isrepresented, the receiver and transmitter may share a multiple antennastructure that includes two or more antennas. In another embodiment, thereceiver and transmitter may share a multiple input multiple output(MIMO) antenna structure, diversity antenna structure, phased array orother controllable antenna structure that includes a plurality ofantennas. Each of these antennas may be fixed, programmable, and antennaarray or other antenna configuration.

In operation, the transmitter receives outbound data 162 from otherportions of its a host device, such as a communication applicationexecuted by processing module 225 or other source via the transmitterprocessing module 146. The transmitter processing module 146 processesthe outbound data 162 in accordance with a particular wirelesscommunication standard (e.g., WiHD, NGMS) to produce baseband or lowintermediate frequency (IF) transmit (TX) signals 164 that containoutbound data 162. The baseband or low IF TX signals 164 may be digitalbaseband signals (e.g., have a zero IF) or digital low IF signals, wherethe low IF typically will be in a frequency range of one hundredkilohertz to a few megahertz. Note that the processing performed by thetransmitter processing module 146 can include, but is not limited to,scrambling, encoding, puncturing, mapping, modulation, and/or digitalbaseband to IF conversion.

The up conversion module 148 includes a digital-to-analog conversion(DAC) module, a filtering and/or gain module, and a mixing section. TheDAC module converts the baseband or low IF TX signals 164 from thedigital domain to the analog domain. The filtering and/or gain modulefilters and/or adjusts the gain of the analog signals prior to providingit to the mixing section. The mixing section converts the analogbaseband or low IF signals into up-converted signals 166 based on atransmitter local oscillation.

The radio transmitter front end 150 includes a power amplifier and mayalso include a transmit filter module. The power amplifier amplifies theup-converted signals 166 to produce outbound RF signals 170, which maybe filtered by the transmitter filter module, if included. The antennastructure transmits the outbound RF signals 170 to a targeted devicesuch as a RF tag, base station, an access point and/or another wirelesscommunication device via an antenna interface 171 coupled to an antennathat provides impedance matching and optional bandpass filtration.

The receiver receives inbound RF signals 152 via the antenna and antennainterface 171 that operates to process the inbound RF signal 152 intoreceived signal 153 for the receiver front-end 140. In general, antennainterface 171 provides impedance matching of antenna to the RF front-end140, optional bandpass filtration of the inbound RF signal 152 andoptionally controls the configuration of the antenna in response to oneor more control signals 141 generated by processing module 225.

The down conversion module 142 includes a mixing section, an analog todigital conversion (ADC) module, and may also include a filtering and/orgain module. The mixing section converts the desired RF signal 154 intoa down converted signal 156 that is based on a receiver localoscillation, such as an analog baseband or low IF signal. The ADC moduleconverts the analog baseband or low IF signal into a digital baseband orlow IF signal. The filtering and/or gain module high pass and/or lowpass filters the digital baseband or low IF signal to produce a basebandor low IF signal 156. Note that the ordering of the ADC module andfiltering and/or gain module may be switched, such that the filteringand/or gain module is an analog module.

The receiver processing module 144 processes the baseband or low IFsignal 156 in accordance with a particular wireless communicationstandard (e.g., WiHD, NGMS) to produce inbound data 160. The processingperformed by the receiver processing module 144 includes, but is notlimited to, digital intermediate frequency to baseband conversion,demodulation, demapping, depuncturing, decoding, and/or descrambling.

In an embodiment of the present invention, processing module 225executes a communication application that controls the communicationwith other communication devices in the group. As discussed inconjunction with FIG. 9 the RF transceiver 123, the control datareceived from control device 50″ and the usage data transmitted to thecontrol device 50″ are sent via the same physical millimeter waveenvironment 52 used by the RF transceiver 123 to communicate with othercommunication devices in its group. The communication applicationgenerates outbound data 162 that includes the usage data sent to controldevice 50″ and in the inbound data 160 includes the control datareceived from control device 50″.

In response to the control data received from control device 50″,processing module 225 generates one or more control signals 141 toconfigure or adapt the RF transceiver 123 based on the resources ofmillimeter wave environment 52 that have been allocated to this deviceor group of devices. In operation, processing module 225 generatescontrol signals 141 to modify the transmit and/or receiver parameters ofthe RF transceiver 125 such as frequency channels or sub spectra, timeslots, spatial channels or other multiple access parameters used by RFfront-end 140, radio transmitter front-end 150, down conversion module142 and up conversion module 148, as well as antenna configurations usedby antenna interface 171 to set the beam pattern, gain, polarization orother antenna configuration of the antenna.

The control signals 141 can be analog signals, digital signals,discrete-time signals of other signals that control the modules of RFtransceiver 123 to adapt to communication based on the control datareceived from control device 50″. As discussed in conjunction with FIG.4, this control data can include a software shim, patch or otherexecutable code downloaded from control device 50″ to allow theresources of the millimeter wave environment 52 to be allocated underthe control of resource controller 80. For instance, RF transceiver 123can operate as a cognitive radio transceiver to execute the executablecode downloaded from control device 50″ to configure the parameters ofRF transceiver 123. In response, the processing module 225 executes thesoftware shim, patch or other executable code along with other controldata from control device 50″ to implement the allocation of resources inconjunction with the communication with other devices in the group.

FIG. 12 is a further schematic block diagram of an RF transceiver 123′in accordance an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, RFtransceiver 123′ includes many similar elements described in conjunctionwith FIG. 11 that are referred to by common reference numerals. In thisembodiment however, RF transceiver 123′ operates as transceiver 104 tosend usage data 199 and receive control data 198 from a control device50 or 50′ via an out of band transceiver 106. In this embodiment,inbound data 160 and outbound data 162 are dedicated to communicationwith other devices in the group.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more features and functionsdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-12. In step 400, first controldata is communicated via a communication interface with a firstplurality of communication devices that utilize the millimeter wavefrequency band in accordance with a first protocol. In step 402, secondcontrol data is communicated via the communication interface with asecond plurality of communication devices that utilize the millimeterwave frequency band in accordance with a second protocol. In step 404,resources of the millimeter wave frequency band are allocated to thefirst plurality of communication devices and the second plurality ofcommunication devices based on the first control data and the secondcontrol data.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first protocol includes awireless high definition communication standard; and the second protocolincludes a next generation millimeter wave communication standard. Themillimeter wave frequency band can include a V-band. Step 404 caninclude allocating a first subset of the resources of the millimeterwave frequency band to the first plurality of communication devices; andallocating a second subset of the resources of the millimeter wavefrequency band to the second plurality of communication devices, whereinthe first subset of the resources of the millimeter wave frequency bandis mutually exclusive of the second subset of the resources of themillimeter wave frequency band. The resources of the millimeter wavefrequency band can include at least one of: a plurality of frequencychannels; a plurality of time slots; and a plurality of spatialchannels.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the control data includesdevice software for execution to at least one of the first plurality ofcommunication devices.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more features and functionsdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-13. In step 410, first usage dataare received from the first plurality of communication devices via thecommunication interface. In step 412, second usage data are receivedfrom the second plurality of communication devices via the communicationinterface. In step 414, the first control data are generated. In step416, the second control data are generated.

In an embodiment of the present invention, resources of the millimeterwave frequency band are allocated to the first plurality ofcommunication devices and the second plurality of communication devicesbased on the first usage data and the second usage data. The first usagedata can include at least one of a quality of service requirement, athroughput requirement, and device pairing data.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more features and functionsdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-14. In step 420, first controldata are communicated via a first communication interface with a firstplurality of communication devices that utilize the millimeter wavefrequency band in accordance with a first protocol, wherein the firstcommunication interface utilizes the millimeter wave frequency band inaccordance with the first protocol. In step 422, second control data arecommunicated via a second the communication interface with a secondplurality of communication devices that utilize the millimeter wavefrequency band in accordance with a second protocol, wherein the secondcommunication interface utilizes the millimeter wave frequency band inaccordance with the second protocol. In step 424, resources of themillimeter wave frequency band are allocated to the first plurality ofcommunication devices and the second plurality of communication devicesbased on the first control data and the second control data.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first protocol includes awireless high definition communication standard; and the second protocolincludes a next generation millimeter wave communication standard. Themillimeter wave frequency band can include a V-band. Step 424 caninclude allocating a first subset of the resources of the millimeterwave frequency band to the first plurality of communication devices; andallocating a second subset of the resources of the millimeter wavefrequency band to the second plurality of communication devices, whereinthe first subset of the resources of the millimeter wave frequency bandis mutually exclusive of the second subset of the resources of themillimeter wave frequency band. The resources of the millimeter wavefrequency band can include at least one of: a plurality of frequencychannels; a plurality of time slots; and a plurality of spatialchannels.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the control data includesdevice software for execution to at least one of the first plurality ofcommunication devices.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more features and functionsdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-15. In step 430, first usage dataare received from the first plurality of communication devices via thefirst communication interface. In step 432, second usage data arereceived from the second plurality of communication devices via thesecond communication interface. In step 434, the first control data aregenerated. In step 436, the second control data are generated.

In an embodiment of the present invention, resources of the millimeterwave frequency band are allocated to the first plurality ofcommunication devices and the second plurality of communication devicesbased on the first usage data and the second usage data. The first usagedata can include at least one of a quality of service requirement, athroughput requirement, and device pairing data.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “coupled to” and/or “coupling” and/or includes direct couplingbetween items and/or indirect coupling between items via an interveningitem (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, anelement, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirect coupling, theintervening item does not modify the information of a signal but mayadjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As mayfurther be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element iscoupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirectcoupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”. As mayeven further be used herein, the term “operable to” indicates that anitem includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s),etc., to perform one or more its corresponding functions and may furtherinclude inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may stillfurther be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes directand/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item beingembedded within another item. As may be used herein, the term “comparesfavorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items,signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when thedesired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude thansignal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude ofsignal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude ofsignal 2 is less than that of signal 1.

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that thefunctional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules andcomponents herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discretecomponents, application specific integrated circuits, processorsexecuting appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

The present invention has been described in conjunction with variousillustrative embodiments that include many optional functions andfeatures. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that thedisclosed invention may be modified in numerous ways, the functions andfeatures of these embodiments can be combined in other embodiments notexpressly shown, and may assume many embodiments other than thepreferred forms specifically set out and described above. Accordingly,it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications of theinvention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A control device for controlling access to a millimeter wavefrequency band, the device comprising: at least one communicationinterface for communicating first control data with a first plurality ofcommunication devices that utilize the millimeter wave frequency band inaccordance with a first protocol and further for communicating secondcontrol data with a second plurality of communication devices thatutilize the millimeter wave frequency band in accordance with a secondprotocol; and a resource controller, coupled to the at least onecommunication interface, for allocating resources of the millimeter wavefrequency band to the first plurality of communication devices and thesecond plurality of communication devices based on the first controldata and the second control data.
 2. The control device of claim 1wherein the first protocol includes a wireless high definitioncommunication standard; and the second protocol includes a nextgeneration millimeter wave communication standard.
 3. The control deviceof claim 1 wherein the millimeter wave frequency band includes a V-band.4. The control device of claim 1 wherein the resource controllerallocates the resources of the millimeter wave frequency band by:allocating a first subset of the resources of the millimeter wavefrequency band to the first plurality of communication devices; andallocating a second subset of the resources of the millimeter wavefrequency band to the second plurality of communication devices; whereinthe first subset of the resources of the millimeter wave frequency bandis mutually exclusive of the second subset of the resources of themillimeter wave frequency band.
 5. The control device of claim 1 whereinthe resource controller allocates the resources of the millimeter wavefrequency band by generating the first control data and the secondcontrol data.
 6. The control device of claim 1 wherein the resources ofthe millimeter wave frequency band include at least one of: a pluralityof frequency channels; a plurality of time slots; and a plurality ofspatial channels.
 7. The control device of claim 1 wherein the resourcecontroller receives first usage data from the first plurality ofcommunication devices and second usage data from the second plurality ofcommunication devices via the communication interface.
 8. The controldevice of claim 7 wherein the resource controller allocates resources ofthe millimeter wave frequency band to the first plurality ofcommunication devices and the second plurality of communication devicesbased on the first usage data and the second usage data.
 9. The controldevice of claim 7 wherein the first usage data includes at least one ofa quality of service requirement, a throughput requirement, and devicepairing data.
 10. The control device of claim 1 wherein the resourcecontroller downloads device software for execution to at least onedevice of: the first plurality of communication devices, and the secondplurality of communication devices.
 11. A method for controlling accessto a millimeter wave frequency band, the method comprising:communicating first control data via a communication interface with afirst plurality of communication devices that utilize the millimeterwave frequency band in accordance with a first protocol; communicatingsecond control data via the communication interface with a secondplurality of communication devices that utilize the millimeter wavefrequency band in accordance with a second protocol; and allocating, viaa resource controller, resources of the millimeter wave frequency bandto the first plurality of communication devices and the second pluralityof communication devices based on the first control data and the secondcontrol data.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the first protocolincludes a wireless high definition communication standard; and thesecond protocol includes a next generation millimeter wave communicationstandard.
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the millimeter wavefrequency band includes a V-band.
 14. The method of claim 11 whereinallocating the resources of the millimeter wave frequency band includes:allocating a first subset of the resources of the millimeter wavefrequency band to the first plurality of communication devices; andallocating a second subset of the resources of the millimeter wavefrequency band to the second plurality of communication devices; whereinthe first subset of the resources of the millimeter wave frequency bandis mutually exclusive of the second subset of the resources of themillimeter wave frequency band.
 15. The method of claim 11 furthercomprising: generating the first control data; and generating the secondcontrol data.
 16. The method of claim 11 wherein the resources of themillimeter wave frequency band include at least one of: a plurality offrequency channels; a plurality of time slots; and a plurality ofspatial channels.
 17. The method of claim 11 further comprising;receiving first usage data from the first plurality of communicationdevices via the communication interface; and receiving second usage datafrom the second plurality of communication devices via the communicationinterface.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein allocating the resourcesof the millimeter wave frequency band includes allocating resources ofthe millimeter wave frequency band to the first plurality ofcommunication devices and the second plurality of communication devicesbased on the first usage data and the second usage data.
 19. The methodof claim 17 wherein the first usage data includes at least one of aquality of service requirement, a throughput requirement, and devicepairing data.
 20. The method of claim 11 wherein the first control dataincludes device software for execution by at least one of the firstplurality of communication devices.